Before I dive into my thoughts on the eighth volume of Hirayasumi, I first want to speak about the recent Amazon Prime live-action adaptation. For the most part, the series did a very good job adapting Keigo Shinzo’s manga. They were able to capture the tone of the series well, and what they wound up adapting in its twenty-episode run told a pretty solid story. From an acting perspective, I must shower a lot of love for Nana Mori, who was able to play Natsumi perfectly. She was spunky, a bit bratty, and demonstrated well what it was like to be on a confusing pathway filled with so many directions.

However, I can’t help but feel like Amane Okayama misinterpreted the mindset of Hiroto. For most of his performance, Okayama played Hiroto as an aloof man, who didn’t seem to grasp his surroundings most of the time. As someone who has been reading the manga since the beginning, I can tell that Hiroto is not a fool or someone who’s an airhead. Quite the contrary, he’s a slacker who takes life with a tablespoon of ease and comfort. And when a moment comes around that requires him to work hard to get it done, he’ll tackle it with all of his gumption.

When there’s something Hiroto doesn’t want to do, he at least gives a solid reason for that. And a moment like this happens in this recent volume of Hirayasumi. However, before we get to that, there are things that precede this moment, starting with a very interesting trip to Nagano that Natsumi goes on. What happens here may be the first few seeds of romance to blossom for the wannabe manga author.

The man in question is Shinichiro Orui, a second-year at Natsumi’s college. He’s a guy who can’t read the room, spends 15 minutes brushing his teeth, and orders the curry rice at a ramen shop. But during an evening stroll with Shinichiro, Natsumi finds some surprisingly charming things about him. She can’t exactly read him, but at least what they talk about gives the girl some sort of direction on what she wants to do.

Speaking of wants in life, Yomogi is a woman looking for love, but is not sure from whom. Her Asakusa date with Ishikawa starts off shaky, especially due to the fact that she over-prepared while suffering from a hangover! Worse, Ishikawa takes her to a place that no groggy person will ever have fun at: an amusement park! But then, Ishikawa pulls an ace out of his sleeve: a comfy Tokyo cruise.

It’s at this moment where Hirayasumi sets up Yomogi for a chance at love. But then, a flashback to Hiroto’s confession pops up, and she realizes that diving into a relationship with Ishikawa isn’t exactly the easiest choice to make. She’s got to ponder over it, which leaves Ishikawa a little sad. So what’s a struggling novelist to do? Simple: take up fishing.

Naturally, this is where the manga sets up the romantic rivals, as Ishikawa goes to the watering hole Hiroto works at. They become quick friends, but even more shocking is how Ishikawa knows Hiroto. It leads towards a moment that I spoke about earlier, where Hiroto is given a big opportunity, only for him to pass on it. His reason may not be one that some readers would agree with, but it’s nowhere near a dumb excuse. Hiroto is happy with what he was able to accomplish in his past life, and he has no reason to go back to that.

Meanwhile, Natsumi makes some progress with her manga writings, even if it’s just for a college zine. She even goes on an impromptu movie watch with Orui, whose perspective on the film greatly differs from hers. These little nuggets of life experiences appear to piece together one giant idea for Natsumi, one that could become the breakthrough Natsumi needs for her manga writing career.

But then, the last page of Hirayasumi’s eighth volume. A very, very cruel way to leave us readers hanging. After nearly 200 pages of solid progress, readers are left with a sight that will make anyone scream, “OH MY GOD, WHAT’S ABOUT TO HAPPEN?!?!” Nevertheless, this volume delivers on plenty of progress in life and love for Hiroto, Natsumi, Yomogi, and even Ishikawa. But for once, what happens next might not be something that Hiroto can take on with a slacker’s attitude; it’s going to require being a big brother to his little cousin!

Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media. Click here to read past reviews of Hirayasumi!